Arthur's body is close to boiling point as he stands naked in his chambers lifting his leg to test the temperature of the bath water. Fortunately, Merlin was facing the other way, busying himself folding or doing something with clothes in order to give Arthur a bit of privacy. Over the years Arthur found bath time incredibly torturous and embarrassing. He used to contemplate the idea of getting a new manservant but that was impossible. Arthur had often picked out Merlin's faults but the thing is, he loved each and every one of them. Plus they were ridiculously overshadowed by Merlin's dazzling traits.

Dipping a toe into the water, Arthur waited for the temperature to reach his already hot, shivering skin. In less than a few seconds he was flinching, removing his toe and stumbling backwards resulting in Merlin turning around and Arthur feeling like he was being burned at a stake. Merlin stared for a moment, maybe a moment too long as he found himself unable to tear his eyes away from Arthur's beautiful form.

'Are you trying to scald me, Merlin?' Arthur blurted putting his hands on his hips and then instantly moving them to cover his crotch. Merlin ducked his head, desperately wanting and not wanting to look at Arthur all at once. He rushed over to the tub and kneeled down. He half lifted his head, considering looking at Arthur before deciding against it. He could already feel himself blushing as it was. It wouldn't do if he had to hurry out of the King's quarters trying to hide his hard on.

Merlin rolled his sleeve up and dipped his elbow into the water. Arthur waited for him to recoil so he could give him his best 'told you so' face but it didn't happen. After a few seconds, Merlin removed his arm, sighing, and stood up.

'Would you like me to add more cold water, princess?' Merlin said his face mockingly serious and his cheeks itching to laugh at Arthur's angry frown.

'I know you don't bathe Merlin but surely even you can realise that is too hot,' Arthur said haughtily and pulling a 'so there' smile.

'Oh very mature, you spoiled prat,' said Merlin before turning on his heel to fetch some cold water. In an effort to prove Merlin wrong and taking advantage of Merlin's back being turned, Arthur stepped into the water and sat down, regretting it instantly but too proud to jump back out.

'Forget it. I'll just have to deal with your clumsy, half efforts like I always do,' Arthur called, ensuring himself the heat that was attacking his senses was worth it.

'Half efforts?' Merlin questioned, turning to walk over to the tub. 'I thought you said I was valuable. Appreciated,' Merlin said stretching the words and holding his neckerchief to show Arthur the embroidery.

'You know, Merlin. If you're gonna use this against me every five seconds, I just may take it back,' Arthur said, knowing that would get to Merlin, hoping it would get to Merlin.

'You can't do that,' Merlin said, trying desperately to sound more shocked and hurt.

'You know I can,' Arthur said. 'I can do whatever I like.'

'You really are such a prat,' Merlin said, stopping to fumble with his neckerchief so he could put his hands on his hips and shake his head in almost disbelief.

'So you've told me,' Arthur retorted. 'And don't try changing the subject, Mer-lin. I will take that neckerchief off you if you don't stop being such a lousy servant.' Merlin frowned and Arthur took this as a sign to press further. 'Or worse, I'll make you take lessons from George.'

'Oh you wouldn't,' Merlin said not needing to fake any shock now but putting it on anyway.

'Oh, yes I would,' Arthur said, his voice seductively low and making the blood in Merlin's body rush so quickly southward that he felt dizzy for a moment. 'Now you need to consider how much you value that neckerchief or so help me...'

'You'll have to fight me for it,' Merlin said before he could stop himself. Okay, maybe that was slightly, more than slightly, too flirty but Arthur started it. Or perhaps Merlin's brain had started it but he was sure it was definitely Arthur.

'You're lucky I'm in the bath,' Arthur said, urging his voice to sound teasing and cool rather than the frustrated moan. He hoped Merlin didn't pick up on that.

'Oh, yes. Very lucky,' Merlin said sarcastically raising his eyebrows and tilting his head. Arthur sighed inwardly, thankful that his moan went unnoticed whilst Merlin thought he was going to melt on the spot or simply explode with want. With need. Merlin concentrated on keeping his breath from hitching and trying to not overly stare at Arthur, who was now splashing water onto his face.

Merlin could almost feel his legs go weak while Arthur pushed his hand through his hair seemingly not noticing Merlin's body wanting to collapse due to strain from holding himself back. He also didn't seem to sense the inner screams from Merlin who was watching droplets of water trail down Arthur's face and onto his chest. Oh God. Merlin had to get out of there.

'Will there be nothing else?' Merlin asked, hoping he wouldn't sound too desperate.

'Sorry to keep you from your chores, Merlin!' Arthur sighed, rolling his eyes. Merlin didn't stand around to give a smart reply in case Arthur changed his mind and turned to leave.

Once reaching the cold stones outside off Arthur's chambers and seeing no one was there, Merlin collapsed against the wall, blowing cool air on his face. This wall was beginning to become a saviour to Merlin, always there for Merlin to lean on and to help cool him down. The need to use this wall as support was also becoming increasingly more frequent. Thoughts filled with wet, naked Arthur and his growing need to escape from Arthur's chambers due to blood flushing his face or elsewhere, Merlin made his way through the castle, yet again dazed and dreamy.


Arthur couldn't resist but to let his hand slide under to the water and stroke his shaft, half hard at Merlin being distracted and well, just being there. He took advantage of the time he knew Merlin would be out of the room in order to dream some more. Arthur missed the dreams when they didn't come naturally in sleep so he created his own.

Holding his dick now, and brushing his thumb across the slit feeling the precum substance under the water, Arthur lulled his head back, succumbing to his fantasies. His fantasies held Merlin, naked and eager, so very eager for Arthur. Arthur decided that fantasy Merlin would climb into the tub and onto his lap and... Arthur jerked his hips forward, his eyes fluttering at the thought of fantasy Merlin sinking on top of him and taking Arthur in his hands.

'Let me take care of you,' Merlin whispered, his face next to Arthur's but not touching, his voice soft but firm sending shudders up Arthur's spine. Arthur completely surrendered to fantasy Merlin, wanting him, needing him.

Fantasy Merlin took charge, straddling Arthur's thighs and pushing Arthur's hands away, moving his hips in sync with his hand. Merlin alternated the activity of his free hand from pushing its way up Arthur's thigh and teasingly drawing back and then surprisingly straight back up to cup Arthur's balls, caressing them with his fingers.

Arthur groaned and Merlin hushed him, only making him groan more. Arthur continued to moan and buck his hips despite fantasy Merlin telling him otherwise. Fantasy Merlin lifted up, his hand still pulsing over Arthur's organ, and the other moving to Arthur's head to prop himself up as he leaned in to silence Arthur with a hungry, desperate kiss. Arthur found the kiss shocking but it was very welcoming even if it did render him momentarily breathless as Merlin brushed his tongue over his teeth, tasting him, and Arthur tasting him in return.

The kiss moved from desperate, licking and teasing to something deeper and more passionate. They were lost in the kiss, it enthralled them. A simple act, yet beautiful. An act which was personal and made them feel closer than ever. It wasn't a simple act but a miracle, something special and treasured.

Arthur's eyes were closed, not squeezed shut but relaxed, except for when they fluttered. Arthur's vision was darkness and beautiful imagination until it started to whiten from the edges, inwards. His whole body tingled with pleasure and pain, enjoying and savouring the moment but aching for the release, the moment where the world was all pleasure and nothing else.

He didn't want the moment to come just yet but he knew he couldn't hold it off much longer as fantasy Merlin broke of the kiss in order to leave kisses along his neck, nibbling his ear and pausing only to whisper words of want to Arthur, causing his body to feel both weak and strong, and fantasy Merlin still stroked, touched and jerked Arthur.

Arthur's body felt like air, like he was made out of water vapour, free and beautiful and amongst the stars as fantasy Merlin concentrated fully on Arthur, biting and sucking at his neck now, showing Arthur who had the control in this moment, in this fantasy. His back arched and his head rocked back as he knew he couldn't hold onto the moment any longer. Not fighting it and completely giving into it, Arthur came, his whole body shuddering into an arch and his toes curling.

Completely lost in the moment of euphoria, the only thing he could see was white light and the image of Merlin sitting upon him, smug and pleased before it began to fade; the only sound were the splashes of water and his moans of 'Merlin.' Arthur was completely unaware of the door opening and of Guinevere who stood at the other end of his chambers, who left before he came back to the reality of the world, fantasy Merlin completely gone now.


'Oh, hey Gwen,' Merlin said as she clicked the door carefully shut. 'You okay?'

'Merlin,' she squeaked her eyes looking lost and blurry. 'Arthur's busy. I'll come back later.'

'Okay,' Merlin said, his voice soft, as he noticed that Gwen couldn't quite make eye contact with him. She smiled and nodded before brushing past Merlin. Merlin couldn't think what he'd done to offend her. Well, besides being completely in love with her husband, but that was a secret.

Shrugging his shoulders, Merlin entered Arthur's chambers with the intent to ask him why Gwen looked like she had just seen a ghost but the sight of Arthur with just a towel wrapped around his waist and droplets of waters running down his chest and his abs defining his muscles made him appear like a statue: a statue of pure beauty, a symbol of courage and all things manly. Merlin inwardly shivered, longing to trace his fingers along the lines of Arthur's stomach or over the collar bones that were so beautifully proud.

Arthur turned around and saw Merlin; they both froze when catching sight of each other. For a moment the world was just the two of them but then they looked away again, continuing with their duties, with their lives. Always together, always so close but always seemingly so far.


A/N: Look at me updating within a week of the earlier chapter. You're welcome haha. Please review. The more reviews I get the more encouraged I feel. Also, when/if I ever get a 100 reviews then you will be entitled to ask a question, possibly for spoilers. Enjoy the chapter.